Nepal

[pbkdnap]

Hospital cafeteria selling rotten stuff

KATHMANDU: A hospital cafeteria in the nerve centre of the Capital city has been selling stale food that smells awful.

Arjun Cafeteria is playing with health of patients and their visitors right on the premises of Chabahil-based Om Hospital. This came to light after a market monitoring team comprising the representatives of the Department of Commerce, Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, consumer rights bodies and the media inspected the cafeteria run by Arjun Timalsina today.

Dr Khil Nath Bastakoti, Director at the DoC, painted a sordid picture: “The cafeteria was found to be flouting minimum standard of hygiene. Flies were devouring the food items when the team made its way into the kitchen. The vegetables were found to be rotten,” he said.

To make things worse, the cafeteria was serving tap water to the consumers without treatment or

filtration. Food items meant for sale were home to houseflies.

“Loaves of bread and ready-to-eat potato chips showcased in the cafeteria did not have manufacture or expiry dates or brand name,” Dr Bastakoti told this correspondent. The cafeteria was also on the wrong side of the law, as it had not got its food licence renewed.

Madhav Timalsina, a consumer rights activists and part of the monitoring team urged the authorities concerned to take stern action against the cafeteria owner for catering spurious food to the patients on the hospital premises.

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[pbkdnap]

Power tariff commission

KATHMANDU: The Cabinet decided on Thursday to form a new electricity tariff fixation commission led by Ganesh Prasad Subba. Ministry of Energy had proposed to form the tariff commission. Other members are Shri Krishna Acharya, Tilak Bahadur Chepang and Uttar Kumar Shrestha. The previous commission led by former water resources secretary Mahendra Aryal was dissolved by the Jhala Nath Khanal-led government after it refused to increase the electricity tariff. Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Bharat Mohan Adhikary on March 23 had announced the dissolution of ETFC.

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[pbkdnap]

Home‚ PMO secys get transfers

KATHMANDU: The Cabinet today transferred Home Secretary Lilamani Paudel to the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers and OPMC Secretary Sushil Jung Rana to the Home Ministry despite Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai’s pledge to not transfer senior government officials before he completes at least one month in office.

Assuming office 20 days ago, Dr Bhattarai had made the pledge at a meeting with senior government officials, expressing hope that this discourage governments from going for haphazard transfer of government officials right after the change of guard.

“The PM had promised not to make the transfers, but this decision is an exception,” said government Spokesperson and Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha.

Shrestha informed that today’s Cabinet meeting also cleared the confusion regarding the national dress.

“Henceforth, Nepali dress shall mean all dresses that have been in use in the mountains, hills and the Tarai.”

The Cabinet also passed Directives on Austerity Measures. The directive pledges not to create new posts in government offices and bars government offices and officials from using additional facilities flouting regulatory provisions.

It bars the establishment of guest houses under government offices, purchase of more than a copy of books and newspapers for an office and the granting gratuity to any organisation except the ones specified in the fiscal budget.

The Cabinet appointed Dr Jitendra Mahaseth as adviser to Health and Population Minister Rajendra Mahato.

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[pbkdnap]

Govt appoints Rana Home Secretary

KATHMANDU: The government has relieved the responsibility of Home Secretary Lilamani Paudel and appointed Sushil Jang Rana in his place on Friday.

According to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha, a meeting of the cabinet has transferred Paudel to the office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in a special decision. He added that the government has endorsed the Government Expenditure Directive 2068.

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[pbkdnap]

Literary Jatra off to enthralling start

KATHMANDU: With Nepali as well as foreign luminaries from the literary world and an enthusiastic audience taking part in it, the Kathmandu Literary Jatra kicked off to a resounding start here in the Patan Durbar Square complex on Friday.

Veteran Nepali culture expert and writer Satya Mohan Joshi opened the three-day festival this afternoon.

The festival, which the organisers have claimed to be first of its kind in the country, aims at providing a platform for the Nepali literature to engage with its international counterpart and project it to the global stage.

In the one of the first sessions held at the inner courtyard of the 15th century palace that houses Patan Museum today, Gopal Ashka, Narayan Dhakal and Sharada Sharma spoke on “Nepali Literature in the Age of Democracy”. In a parallel session at the NMB hall next door, Gopal Thakur, Rabindra Mishra, Sujeev Shakya and Sarad Pradhan talked about “Writing and Change”.

The spellbound audience listening to Tarun Tejpal speaking at one of the session in the inner courtyard of Patan Durbar on Friday.

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[pbkdnap]

The second session with Indian novelist and editor Tarun Tejpal attracted a big audience. He shared his experiences as a journalist and writer under the theme “Uncovering the Truth”.

http://thehimalayantimes.com/fullNew...NewsID=303021#

[pbkdnap]

Sporting a gray stubble, a ponytailed Tejpal (pictured) pointed out the need for translation of South Asian literature in the regional languages. Karna Shakya spoke in another session titled “Getting Things done!”.

The first-day events concluded with a poetry recitation in various languages.

The participants—30 Nepali and 10 international writers and poets— will take part in readings, workshops and hold thematic discussions on various topics pertaining to Nepal and South Asia in both a socio-political and literary context during the event, according to the organisers.

http://thehimalayantimes.com/fullNew...NewsID=303021#

[xxxriainxxx]

Is Shrestha a popular name in Nepal?

[japanese001]

image hosted on flickr

ネパール111 by delta0921, on Flickr

[NExplorer]

Dharahara (Nepali: धरहरा), also called Bhimsen Tower, is a nine story (61.88m) tall tower at the center of Sundhara[1], Kathmandu. It is situated in the historical city of Kathmandu, and is a part of Architecture of Kathmandu recognized by UNESCO. It was built in 1832 by the Prime Minister of the time, Bhimsen Thapa of Nepal. Bhimsen Thapa built the tower under the orders of Queen Lalit Tripura Sundari.

The tower has a spiral staircase containing 213 steps. The 8th floor holds a circular balcony for observers that provides a panoramic view of the whole Kathmandu valley. The tower has a 5.2m bronze mast on the roof. The tower has been open for the general public since 2005 for a small fee.

Coordinates:27.698°N 85.306°E

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ka...msen_Tower.jpg

[NExplorer]

Originally Posted by ~MELVINDONESIA~

The pics?

Originally Posted by Johson

pics please

Will going to share lot of pics once my picture sharing enabled.... With Natural Sky scrapers

Cheers

[NExplorer]

Hi all,

I want to share ancient wooden architecture of Nepal. All are invited to contribute the same....

Cheers

[AsianDragons]

[NExplorer]

The growing rhino population is one of Nepal’s rare success stories

KATHMANDU — In a nation where a civil war and years of political deadlock have stunted prosperity and development, the burgeoning rhino population is one of Nepal’s rare success stories.

The Himalayan country’s endangered one-horned rhinoceros has increased its numbers significantly over recent years thanks to tightened security against poachers and community conservation programs.

Wildlife experts spent a month last year conducting an exhaustive survey and counted 534 rhinos in Nepal’s southern forests — 99 more than when the last such census was carried out in 2008.

“Despite all the hardship during the unrest in the country, we continued our support to the fullest extent to control poaching of rhinos and we are glad that our efforts have yielded positive results,” said Diwakar Chapagain of WWF Nepal’s wildlife trade control program.
The wildlife organization, which has been involved in anti-poaching and anti-trafficking programs as well as habitat research for more than 30 years, expects numbers to keep improving.The picture was not always so positive.

Thousands of greater one-horned rhinos, also known as the Indian rhinoceros, once roamed Nepal and northern India but their numbers plunged over the last century due to poaching and human encroachment on their habitat.

The animals are killed for their horns, which are prized for their reputed medicinal qualities in China and Southeast Asia.

A single horn can sell for tens of thousands of dollars on the international black market, and impoverished Nepal’s porous borders, weak law enforcement and proximity to China have made the country a hub for the illegal trade.

The population decline was particularly dramatic during Nepal’s 1996-2006 civil war, when soldiers on anti-poaching details were re-deployed to fight a Maoist guerrilla insurgency.

“Because the security forces had to engage in other national security issues, priority to park security and wildlife protection was weakened,” said Chapagain.

“Similarly, park guard posts were decreased to a few posts in a single location, which left a security vacuum in the habitats of the rhino and other wildlife.

“Poachers could go to parks without any fear of arrest.”

When the conflict ended, the government made a priority of rebuilding its wildlife protection apparatus, said Maheshwar Dhakal, an ecologist with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation.

“But it took some time for the results to appear because the poachers had changed their strategies. They waited for the rains or night time so that the guards wouldn’t be there,” Dhakal told AFP.

“They entered the conservation areas from the bushes and during festivals when the security was at a minimum.”

A key turning point in the fight to save the rhino occurred in 2009, when the government decided to enlist community groups to protect the animals, Dhakal said.

“We started to exchange information and create awareness campaigns in the local areas. We enlisted a group of local volunteers who would go on patrol in the jungle,” he said.

“It boosted the morale of the local people. We also developed a network of committees under our office to make our efforts more coordinated.”
This new approach yielded remarkable results last year, the first since records began in which no deaths of rhinos at the hands of poachers were recorded in Nepal.

“On the one hand, the Nepalese Army’s patrolling was becoming more effective, and the police also arrested several poachers, on the other,” said Dhakal.

“These campaigns were instrumental in the rise of numbers of rhinos and the decline in the illegal trade of their organs.”

http://www.vancouversun.com/technolo...960/story.html

Admin: I am not been able to attach photos, till then I am sharing only news...

[NExplorer]

Written by by Florine RochePictures by Rethesh Kumar
May 10, 2012



For ardent trekkers with an adventurous streak of mind, Nepal, the landlocked mountainous country offers enormous opportunities to trek to their heart’s content. For trekkers who are fit as a fiddle, who like to challenge themselves and have an open mind to explore and experience pristine natural beauty and distinct culture Nepal certainly lives up to its nickname as a trekker’s paradise or adventure destination. Adorned with the ice-cold mountains of the Himalayan range this land of frondescent hills, deep valleys, yaks, stupas, monasteries, temples and Sherpas offers variety and diversity to thousands of trekkers who flock to witness its beauty and splendor in abundance every year from different parts of the world.
This April I finally achieved my long term ambition of reaching the Everest Base Camp and also Kala Pathar getting a rich dosage of its cultural vibrancy and enjoying one of the best trekking I have ever undertaken so far. Apart from feasting on the beauty of worlds highest peak Mt Everest (8848 m) and some of the of other tallest mountains from the closest range possible from Nepal’s side like Nuptse (7861m), Lhotse (8526m) Ama Dablam (6856m) I also got a once in a life time opportunity to witness nature in its pristine form and get a glimpse of the lifestyle of the Sherpas, the original inhabitants of Nepal’s side of Himalaya, well known for their mountaineering skills. Though the trekking to this terrain is graded as adventurous but moderate to medium difficult, it is quite challenging for normal trekkers especially those from Mangalore or other areas which are at sea level as they have to beat altitude sickness.

To be continued........

Source: http://www.daijiworld.com/chan/exclu...asp?ex_id=1868

[NExplorer]

Written by Florine Roche

Pictures by Tethesh Kumar
May10, 2012

Lukla – the Gateway:


From Kathmandu I arrived in Lukla by flight and from here began the journey to our destination covering a distance of 120 kms to reach Everest Base Camp (EBC). There are airlines like Sita, Agni, Budha, Yeti with small planes ranging from 10 to 20 seaters to take trekkers to Lukla from Kathmandu. We had trekked an additional 50 kms that included trekking during the two rests and the additional trekking we did at higher elevation in order to acclimatize. While it took 8 days to ascend, the journey back took only 4 days and could have been covered in 3 days also. Lukla is the gateway to the mountain region and except for human and yaks there are no other means of transport in this entire region.
As we strode the winding path with our rucksacks firmly perched on our backs we came across hordes of jubilant trekkers crisscrossing us as many trekkers were returning triumphantly having completed the arduous journey. We reached Phakding village after about 5 hours of trekking and rested for the day as it was getting darker, though we were to go to Monju as per our plan. Our lodge was on the bank of the Dudh Kosi River giving us a panoramic view of the pine forest and the smaller snow-clad peaks. This Dudh Kosi River has been a part of our trekking trail all through.

Glimpse of Sherpa Culture
The next day’s journey, to Namche Bazar, was one of the toughest in the entire trail as it was a steep upward climb and we started off early morning. If we had covered Monju the first day our journey to Namche Bazar would not have been such a grueling one. After a few minutes of walk from Monju comes the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park which covers the Everest region. An entrance fee of $20 has to be paid and here they keep the records of trekkers going to and from the place. They issue us Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) cards, which is a must for all trekkers entering this trekking region which helps them to track missing trekkers. Somehow, tired and weary we reached in Namche Bazar, the capital of Sherpas. Namche Bazar is a vibrant settlement set on the ridge resembling like an amphitheatre and from here one can get the first view of the imposing Everest and other peaks.
It was rest day and we went around Namche Bazar to see the local culture, the museum, the tea shops and guest houses and make do whatever little shopping we required for higher elevation like, exchanging Nepalese currency, buying trekking poles (stick) and toiletries. We then decided to go to a higher elevation to acclimatize and after a steep one and half hour climb reached Shyangboche airstrip to come to Everest View Point hotel. From here we could get the first glimpse of the mighty Mt Everest standing tall and taunting us. We trudged along Khunde and Khumjung villages passing through numerous Buddhist stone monuments and arrived at our guest house late evening. On the way we stopped at tea-shops to have lemon tea or a quick bite of something to boost our energy levels or just to take a short break from the grueling schedule.
We decided to here porters from Namche Bazar to conserve our energy as our destination was EBC. From Namche Bazar we started off early morning to proceed to Tengboche and on the trail we were greeted by the beautiful Rhododendruns, the national flower of Nepal. Passing through this trail also gives a good view of Ama Dablam considered to be the most beautiful mountains in Nepal by many. We reached about 7 kms to reach Phungi Thanga and from here a steep high to reach Tengbuche. Here we saw the beautiful Tengboche monastery. We walked another 2 kms and rested at Debuche savouring some of the local food like Sherpa stew with noodles, momos or egg omelette with Yak cheese. Yak steak (available mostly in these regions) is quite a sought after dish by trekkers from Europe and America.

Acclimatization a Must
Our next destination was Dingboche where we rested for a day as part of acclimatization. Hot shower facility is available in most guest houses with makeshift bathrooms and as we go to higher elevation the cost also increases. But we cannot complain because everything including gas cylinder has to be transported from Kathmandu through land and transported by manual labour or through Yaks. Paying Rs. 400 (Nepalese) for a shower is quite moderate if the cost of transportation is taken into consideration. Wood also becomes a scarce commodity from Dingboche onwards as trees become sparse in colder regions.
Sudden change of weather is normal in this region and sometimes after 2 pm it becomes cloudy or too breezy and trekking is risky in such conditions. So we usually used to trek in the morning hours as much as possible and afternoon was mainly meant for additional trekking to cover higher altitude. At Dingboche we had a surprise when it started to snow at 2 pm. It made the area still cooler. After having a hot shower and having freshened up we went higher altitude conquering a steep peak as the weather improved in the evening. There was another surprise as the next morning we were in for another surprise as we were treated to a fiesta of snow all around us. We trekked to Chukung valley as part of our trekking and climbed the highest altitude of 5106 meters to test our endurance at this level. On the way we could watch Island Peak and Makalu from a close distance.
Altitude sickness is common and common symptoms include head ache, vomiting, fatigue and in severe form may lead to walking like a drunkard and breathlessness. Going to higher altitude and coming down to lower altitudes helps to overcome it to a great extent. Many trekkers have beaten a hasty retreat half way through unable to overcome altitude sickness.

Mt Everest – Near yet Far
On reaching Lobuche about 8 kms of steep highs and downs had a quick lunch and went for higher altitude to reach about 5000 m. Some in the group felt slight head ache and fatigue (altitude sickness) but by now having climbed to higher altitudes constantly we were ready to face it. April 24 was that D Day we started from Lobuche to Gorakshep at 7 am even in the biting cold. By 11 we had reached Gorakshep and after keeping our bags at the guest house headed towards EBC covering about 8 kms. The walk is quite exhaustive due to high altitude and thin air. At around 2.30pm I reached the destination I was eagerly looking forward to all these days. At Everest base camp one is treated to the splendorous and ferly Khumbu ice fall and partial sight of mighty Everest sandwiched between Lho La and Nuptse peaks. Everest Base Camp is the starting point for expeditions by different countries to scale on the summit and is bustling with activity. Colorful tents set up by expeditions from different countries (including India) dotted the place. A leader of an Indian expedition told us that there were 32 teams at EBC during this season.
Having reached the goal we were back in Gorakshep to get ourselves pepped up for the final day’s journey to Kala Pathar (black stone) which offers magnificent view of Mt Everest. We started early morning to capture the sunrise atop the Everest and in the cold chilly conditions I was up by and was ready to face another stiff challenge and by 5 am we were heading to climb Kala Pathar. I had worn two shirts, sweater, thermal wear and a down jacket and had wrapped myself with monkey cap, a shawl. Two pair of woolen socks covered by feet and had worn two pairs of gloves on my palms. Still my feet and hands felt numb even after climbing for an hour or so. I kept rubbing my hands but the backbreaking path and difficult terrain made even that impossible. After 2 hours of hard labour I was on top Kala Pathar with mount Pumori on the background and from here we could get the most astounding view of Mt Everest and its neighboring peaks like namely Lhotse and Nuptse. I must say I had reached the acme of my trek and having embedded the scene in my memory and after capturing those scenes in the camera I began to descend.

Etched in Mind
Same day we began our journey to Lobuche and halted there after trekking for another 16 kms. Next we came to Pheriche after trekking more than 20 kms all day long. On 28th we were back in Lukla treading the same path through Namche and Phakding. On 29th our flight was scheduled at 9 am and we were in Kathmandu by 11 am.
All through the trekking one has to go through graded paths and though the climb to EBC does not call for any technical expertise any average trekker with good fitness levels, strong will power and with an inclination to work hard to acclimatize to higher elevations, will be able to complete the trek. My lips had to bear the brunt of the severe cold and my nose was like a wound on fire due to constant watering and slight bleeding. But it was a small price I had to pay for all the eudemonia that I experienced by watching the breathtaking beauty of the mountains. Carrying enough Nepali currency is essential to meet the mounting expenses of food and shelter all through. Trekkers must carry petroleum jelly or glycerin and cold cream to reduce the severity of such a situation. Sunscreen is a must as the sun’s rays are quite strong in this region. Children with sun-burnt cheeks are a common sight here.
All through the trek routes there are numerous guest houses and tea shops and the accommodation is quite cheap with Rs. 200 or 300 (Nepalese) on twin sharing basis. Indian currency is valued at 1.6 in Nepali which means Indian Rs. 100/- is valued at Rs. 160/- in Nepali currency. They provide woolen bed sheets which often smell bad but using a thin bed sheets or carrying one’s own sleeping bag helps. The only condition in these guest houses is that one has to eat in their guest houses and the high cost of food ranging from Rs. 400 to 700 per meal helps them cover the cost. Meals both veg and non-veg and snacks are easily available in these guest houses. Certain luxuries like drinking hot water internet and mobile or camera charging facility comes at a price ranging from Rs. 300/- which goes up to Rs. 1000/- per hour as we go higher. Most of the guest houses are run by women and I presume their men go as Guides to the trekkers, which is quite rewarding.
Suspension bridges form a part of the trekking itinerary all through this region both for men and the beasts (animals especially yaks). One can even witness ice fall or breaking of rocks due to cold during the trek. Yaks and porters give constant company to trekkers all through the journey. Porters who carry the rucksacks as well as goods to higher places with their baskets or load firmly on their backs are also ubiquitous all through the trekking route. When I struggled to carry a bag of 10 kg I wonder how these porters carry such a huge load ranging from 50 kg and above. Ultimately they have to do it for a living and often it is the only way of livelihood for these people.
This experience is something to be felt and words are not suffice to express it fully. Needless to say I treasure the experience of trekking in this naturally beautiful mountainous terrain enjoying a perfect fusion of adventure and culture in addition to taking up the challenge successfully.

Source: http://www.daijiworld.com/chan/exclu...asp?ex_id=1868

[NExplorer]

Apartment culture is rapidly flourishing in Kathmandu, hope these are as per Earthquake proof design :

CIVIL HOMES PHASE IV - APARTMENTS

Civil Apartment at Civil Homes Phase IV Project comprises of 6 Apartment Blocks accomodates 304 units of flats. The Apartment Building in six individual blocks has been spread over an area of 27 Ropanis.
There are 2 Zones, Zone 1 with 2 blocks of Fourteen storied each are placed near the entry plaza accomodating 88 units of flats and Zone 2 with 4 blocks 18 storied each are placed on the far northern side with good view of Himalayan range. The later four blocks accommodates 216 units of flats.
Each Apartments accommodates 2,3 and 4 bedroom flats with spacious living/dinning area, kitchen/store a common bathroom standard bed rooms an attached bathroom with changing room in the master bed room. Each flat is facilitated with maid room/toilet and spacious balconies to each flat. Each apartment block has it own parking lots as well landscaped greenery on its surrounding.

[hakz2007]

ELEPHANT BEAUTY CONTEST IN NEPAL

CHITWAN, Nepal, Dec 29 (NNN-Bernama) -- It's freezing cold at the bank of Rapti river on Friday morning but Aar Mohammad, 20, a mahout, is busy bathing his elephant for the beauty contest at the Chitwan Elephant festival.

"I came here early morning because today is the beauty contest, normally I bathe my elephant at 11 am," he told Xinhua.

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[hakz2007]

Nepal Army chief meets Indian counterpart in New Delhi

KATHMANDU: Nepal Army’s Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS) General Gaurav Shumsher Rana held meet his Indian counterpart General Bikram Singh in New Delhi, Monday.

In the meeting held at General Singh’s office, the duo discussed the matter of bilateral interests.

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[hakz2007]

Jack Stefanowski appointed Nepali football coach

KATHMANDU: The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) Vice President and spokesperson Lalit Krishna Shrestha, has confirmed to THT-Online on Monday, that Jack Stefanowski of Puerto Rico has been officially appointed as the national coach of Nepali football team for a year.

Stefanowski is arriving in Nepal this evening and ANFA is organizing a press meet to reveal further information.

Read more